Sarcajc Research in Journalism Advertisement & Cartoon

SARCAJC

SOUTH ASIAN RESEARCH CENTRE FOR ADVERTISEMENT, JOURNALISM & CARTOONS

CHACHA NEHRU ON CHILDREN'S DAY

Today, a number of large sized governmental advertisements have appeared in leading newspapers on the occasion of birth anniversary of Jawaharlal Nehru, the first Prime Minister of India- which is celebrated as Children’s Day. Many ads carry his quote; take a look at a few:

We have to think in terms of the common man and fashion our political, social and economic structure so that the burdens that have crushed him be removed and he may have full opportunity for growth (Ministry of Commerce and Industry)

We have to build the noble mansion of free India where all her children my dwell (Ministry of Human Resource Development)

Loyal & efficient work in a great cause, even though it may not be immediately recognised, ultimately bears fruit (Ministry of Steel)

On this occasion (Children’s Day), the advertisement by Ministry of Women & Child Development has not bothered to feature any of Nehru’s quote, but just mentions- “Ministry of Women & Child Development celebrates Children’s day”. Guess how – Award giving ceremony by President of India at high security Rashtrapati Bhavan. The ad by Directorate of Information and Publicity, Delhi Government features portrait of Nehru in the background of roses with the punch line- “Pânditji Lives”. Hang on, how did universally accepted spelling of Panditji change to Pânditji? This is nothing but a serious error. The Ad by Central Bank Ad carries the punch line- “Proud to be Chacha Nehru’s Bank”. It goes on with self admiration- “..It was a proud moment for us then. It is a proud moment for us now. We, at Central Bank of India, takes great pride as a banker to India’s first prime minister, Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru ..”. But the accompanying im age of card that carries Chacha Nehru’s specimen signatures reflects carelessness of this bank. Here, Nehru’s first name is incorrectly mentioned as- “Jawarlal”! Now you know the state of Banking here, right?